CONTEMPORARY/Grand reopening of Prato’s Pecci Center
October 16
Head here for our full special on the art event of the year!
COMEBACK/Reopening of the Botticelli rooms
October 18
Uffizi Gallery, piazzale degli Uffizi, Florence
A rebirth of Venus! Just two days after the grand reopening of the Pecci Center in Prato, Florence will have a big reveal of its own: Uffizi visitors can see Botticelli like never before as the restored rooms 10 through 14 reopen to the public. This gallery section famously houses masterpieces like Primavera (c. 1482) and the Birth of Venus (c. 1484). Since closing a little over a year ago, the halls have undergone an extensive restoration and refurbishing, made possible by a sizable donation from nonprofit foundation Friends of Florence. Consult the temporary Uffizi website for additional information.
DANCE/La Democrazia del Corpo
Until December 28
CANGO and various venues in Florence
Body language takes center stage in this interdisciplinary and international showcase, which brings together choreographers, visual artists, dancers and art world influencers. Dance performances make up much of the October program, with the local Virgilio Sieni Company—headquartered at CANGO—spearheading that side of the festival. But the event will also include site-specific art installations, choreography workshops and talks, including down-the-line discussions with Fabio Cavallucci of Prato’s Pecci Center (November) and Arturo Galansino of Palazzo Strozzi (December). For the full program, see the Virgilio Sieni Company website.
DANTE/The Divine Comedy of Venturino Venturi
Until February 26, 2017
Villa Bardini, costa San Giorgio 2, Florence
In the early 1980s, Tuscan artist Venturino Venturi teamed up with hermetic poet Mario Luzi, re-interpreting The Divine Comedy in a series of 54 illustrations, intended for a 1985 edition of Dante’s masterpiece, to be published by Edizioni Pananti Firenze. These never-before-displayed works are juxtaposed with multimedia installations, creating a full, immersive experience of the Supreme Poet’s universe. Actor Pierfrancesco Favino is the exhibition’s narrator, reading some of the most iconic passages from each canto and lending the show even more contemporary edge. For more information, see the website or call 055/20066206.
FRIDA/The Visionary: La Fabulosa Fiesta
October 18, 6–9pm
FLY Fashion Loves You, Borgo Pinti 20r, Florence
Join students at Florence University of the Arts for a fashion-forward fiesta on Tuesday evening. Florentine designer Benedetta Maracchi, who’s behind the handbag and home goods brand Marakita, will showcase her new winter collection at FLY, a vintage and emerging designer boutique managed by FUA’s fashion students. The made-in-Italy collection features a variety of animals and tropical prints, but guests will also have a rare chance to customize their very own clutch, to be delivered within a week. Guests can also dig in to a gourmet aperitivo and sip on a stylish signature cocktail dubbed “The Frida,” after Frida Kahlo, who’s also the muse for most of the event decor. Entry is free. For more information, call 055.260209.